1955 Back-O'-The-Card: Gil McDougald

My Advice to Youngsters by Gil McDougald
"My advice to youngsters is to get out to your playground as often as possible and learn how to hit the ball as well as to catch ground balls and fly balls. And even if you never reach the major leagues, playing baseball will build a strong body, [and] teach you sportsmanship and fair play, both of which build good citizens."

-1955 Bowman No. 9

1955 Back-O'-The-Card: Mickey Mantle

"Mickey batted an even .300 in his third full major league season. He's a slugger to be reckoned with. Appearing in 146 games for New York in 1954, he led the league in runs scored with 129. His 163 hits were good for a total of 285 bases and included 17 doubles, 12 triples and 27 homers. He batted in 102 runs. As is often the case with sluggers, Mickey also led the league in strikeouts with 107. He is a highly regarded young player.
Mickey started in organized ball in 1949."

-1955 Bowman No. 202

1955 Back-O'-The-Card: Ed Lopat

"In 11 years of major league play, Eddie has proven that you don't have to be a fastballer to be a top pitcher. 'An assortment of junk' is what the ball players say about Ed's pitches, but they're as tough to hit as a blazing fastball.
A great control pitcher, Ed issued the fewest walks of any American League chucker last year and in 1953 topped the league won-lost percentage and ERA."

-1955 Topps No. 109

"Steady Eddie is one of baseball's top control artists. Last year he gave up the fewest walks in the American League and in 1953 had the best won-lost percentage and lowest ERA."

-1955 Topps Doubleheader No. 41

1955 Back-O'-The-Card: Frank Leja

"Frank became the Yankees' first bonus player when he signed late in 1953. A standout performer in American Legion baseball, he had offers from 14 clubs before deciding on the Yankees.
Last season he traveled with the New Yorkers and although he didn't see much action he picked up many 'tricks of the trade.' Frank is tabbed for future stardom."

-1955 Topps No. 99

1955 Back-O'-The-Card: Don Larsen

"Don wasn't carried on the St. Louis Browns roster in the spring of 1953, but by the end of the season had pitched in 38 games, winning 7 and losing 12, a record that could have been reversed with a better hitting team behind him. He started 22 games, pitched 193 innings, and gave up 201 hits. Don faced 752 batters, walked 64 men [1.38 WHIP] and struck out 96, and his earned run average was 4.15.
He's considered a bright prospect."

-1954 Bowman No. 101

"Big Don, who has two years as a major leaguer, will be a Yankee in 1955 as a result of a big winter deal between the Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles.
With Baltimore in 1954, Don got into 29 games, winning 3 and losing 21. It is safe to say he would have won more games with a better hitting team behind him. He was in 38 games for the St. Louis Browns in 1953, winning 7 and losing 12.
Don began in baseball in 1947. In 1953, he had seven consecutive hits, establishing a major league record for a pitcher."

-1955 Bowman No. 67

1955 Back-O'-The-Card: Steve Kraly and Lou Sleater

STEVE KRALY
"Up for another chance at a Yankee starting assignment, Steve has all the talent to become an American League star. He joined the Yankees late in the 1953 season after a great year at Binghamton where he won 19 games while losing only 2, with a 2.08 ERA and 139 strikeouts.
Steve starred in high school and American Legion baseball before entering pro ball."

-1955 Topps No. 139


LOU SLEATER
"After a month in pro ball, Lou went into the Navy. From 1946 through '49 he played in six different minor leagues. The Giants mistakenly put him on the waiver list and the Browns grabbed him in 1950.
After a brief trial with the Browns, Lou was sent to San Antonio, winning 12 and losing 5. He spent part of '51 at Kansas City where he appeared in seven games, winning 4 and losing 2. He was traded to the Senators in May of '52"

-1952 Topps No. 306

"Lou came to the Senators from the Browns in May of '52. Before being sent down to Chattanooga in July, Lou, in addition to three other victories, turned in a 1-0 shutout of the A's.
After two years at the University of Maryland, he entered pro ball with Hartford in 1946. For Ogdensburg in '48, Lou posted a 12-8 mark. For Jacksonville in '49, he had a 14-13 record and for San Antionio in '50 he won 12. He was with the Browns for parts of '50 and '51."

-1953 Topps No. 224